Those who are on a look out for an environment-friendly bike for moving around in the city with limited running needs will probably prefer to go for Hero Electric’s Zion. While it is Hero's entry level electric bike, it has a decent and sleek look. The design is apparently good looking and attractive. Its alloy wheels give added attraction to its beauty.

The vehicle flaunts chequered flag stripes on the bodywork thereby enhancing its look still further. Although it is small in size, it is sturdy enough with a large seat and carrying capacity of 90 kgs of luggage and storage space of 25 litres. The scooter is built up on strong reinforced chassis and employs a brake lever which helps in conserving battery charge. The user-friendly instrument cluster displays information like speed, turn indicators, etc. The sensor cuts off power to the motor the moment brakes are applied. Zion is available in two attractve colours: White and Silver.The limitations of the scooter too are very obvious. Firstly, it takes around 8 hours to charge the batteries, which may discourage those staying very preoccupied and running against time. The positive factors, however, are that the bike comes equipped with an auto cut-off system that ensures against damage to batteries on account of overcharging, and that the battery has the capability to retain in charging for a long period even when the machine is not in use.

The second minus factor is its limited top-speed - the vehicle can attain a maximum of 25 kms per hour. In the backdrop of the present day high speed craze, many people may not get attracted to the vehicle because of this factor alone. Further, when fully charged, it can run only for 70 kms. Despite these limitations, the bike is still a novelty for Indian roads and are acceptable to all those who confine their movements to a few kilometers a day.The vehicle is priced at around Rs 32,000/- (ex-showroom, Delhi), which is considered reasonable.

Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad

Designation:Executive EditorBio:A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.